Ballmer to give opening 2012 CES keynote

No real surprise here: Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will once again get the opening-night spotlight at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show.

The Consumer Electronics Association today confirmed Ballmer will be giving the kick-off keynote address.

"We are pleased to welcome Microsoft back to the CES keynote stage," said CEA President Gary Shapiro. "From mobile to desktop to gaming and beyond, Microsoft has a significant impact on all aspects of the consumer technology industry, and Steve Ballmer's keynote is a great way to kick off the exciting 2012 International CES. We are excited to hear Microsoft's latest initiatives and Ballmer's vision for where consumer technology is heading."

As in previous years, Ballmer's keynote speech will he held the night before the show officially opens in Las Vegas. It'll be on Monday, January 9, at 6:30 p.m.

The one change is the location: Ballmer will speak at the Venetian this year, rather than at the Las Vegas Hilton. In recent years most press conferences at CES have been held at the Venetian.